Stamp and check canceling and postmarking machine.



F. G. BoSwELL. STAMP AND CHE( )K CANCELING AND PSTMARKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 22. |917v Patented Aug. 6 1918. 6 SHEETS--SHEET l F. G. BOSWELL.

STAMP AND CHECK CANCELING AND POSTMARKING MACHINE.

, APPLICATION msn ocr. 22. 19u. 1,274,847. PatentedAug. 6,1918. s sHEETssHET 2.

m: muzms neas :u rumaumo.. wAsmNcmN. n r..

F. G. BOSWELL.

STAMP AND CHECK cANcEuNG AND PosTNlARKlNG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 2 2. 19H.

Patent-ed Aug. 6, 1918.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

nu: nomas Psrsns cu..pnam1.rma.. wAsmNumN. o. c.

f. G. BOSWELL. STAMP A-ND CHECK CANCELING AND POSTMARKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION man ocr. 22, 1911.. l ,274, 84:7 Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

` 6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

LVM/nemo cj.

F. G. BOSWELL.

sTAMPANp CHECK CANCELING AND PosTMARKlNG MACHINE.

` APPLICATION FILED O CT. 22. I`9I7. 1,274,847.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

6 sHEET'sf-suee 5.

F. G. BOSWELL..

STAMPAND CHECK CANCELING AND POSTMARKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION mEq oc. 22, |911.

1,274,847. PatentedAug. 6,1918

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

www zoo eo muren salaires' PATENT ormCEe.

FRANCIS Gr. BOSWELI, 0F WASHINGTON, DISTRICT COLUMBIA, ASSIG-NOR TOROIBERT A. BOSWELLOF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.- l

STAMP AND CHECK 'CANCELIN'C .AND PosTMARKING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug'. 6, 1918.

Application filed October 2.2, 1917. Serial No. 197,856.

namely: the intermittent die class and the rotary cylinder class, and the present invention belongs to the former class,

Heretofore, the general run of stamp and check canceling machinery hasembodied structure in which the letter or check is either stopped in its transit through the machine (as in the rotary cylinder machine) or else impinges on a mechanism that liberates the die (as in intermittent die ma-l chine). These devices for stopping the letter or tripping the die are in the letter path' and, if not properly adjusted becomeV a hazard because of their liability to multilate letters, post-cards and checks by nicking or tearing the edges.

One of the objects of this invention is to remove the danger of mutilation of the mail byl providing for letters or cards an uninterrupted path through the machine, there being no device against which the letteris required to strike in its passage. The operation of the die is effected by the breaking of an electrical short-circuit, as the letter passes between two auxiliary feed rolls adjacent to the printing couple.

A machine operating its printing die intermittently must necessarily have an operating member for the die that will ef-` fectively start the die from a state ofvrest, keep it in motion, and readily stop it.

A further object ,of the invention therefor is to provide a clutch for moving the die and an attendant energizing means therefor, that will give the clutch an extraordinary pulling efort at the moment of starting the die, and overcoming its inertia, that will diminish this pulling efort after the die has been started, and that will reduce the pulling effort to a minimum,v when the die is held y against rotation.

Practice has shown that very thick mail, which it is frequently necessary to cancel by a postmarking machine, does not readily acquire the speed of themachine. This is due to the slipping of the advancing rolls on thev l surface of the piece of mail and results in the printing member, when the said piece of mail has reached the printing couple, having advanced too far to properly position the cancellation and postmark. Means for causing the printing member toV lag in speed' Vbehind the speedA of the machine will meet 'and overcome the objection and it is a further object of the invention to provide a readily adjustable manually operable means for this purpose. f

A further object is to provide a clutch for the die, that will automatically adjust itself to compensate for wear between its driving and driven elements,

A further object is to increase the output of this class of machinery by providing a mechanism that can be operated at very high speeds without impairment to its vital parts.

A further object of the invention'is to provide a clutch mechanism for use with an intermittently operated' die that will contain means for holding lubricant in contact with the tion.

A further object of the invention is to improve, simplify, and render more practical. the postmarking, stamp and check canceling parts that are exposed to much fricmachine set forth, illustrated and claimed inV the Patents Numbers 1,024,552 and 1,058,696 issued April 30, 1912, and April 8, 1913, respectively to Francis G. Boswell and as. signed to Robert A.A Boswell, and Patent No.

1,248,802 issued October 23, 1917, to Robert l A. Boswell.

The structure disclosed herein may require certain changes to adapt it to the needs `of practice and the right is, therefore, claimed to make any changes that do not depart from the spiritr of the subjoined claims. I

The same numerals'of, reference designate thesame parts throughout the drawings, wherein: l

Figure 1 is a plan view'of the improved lrivesrits motion l from a sleeve 33 by .means ,of a splined eonnectionv33a. kThe l sleeve33 rotates in bearings formed in .the-bracket 34 whichfis attached to-the"bed`plate 2`by the screw 35. "A- sheave 36 is'attached to the sleeve close toone of its bearings Vand this sheave together uf'ithlthelshoulder 37 prevents longitudinal movement of the sleeveV in its bearings', but, Aat the same time, allowsit to be rotated"by the power trans'- mittedto the sheave 36. '.The shaft 32 extends through the sleeve 33 a 'suliici'ent distance for its threaded end 38 to be engaged by the, knurled nut 39. The nut 39 is designed to fit 38 snugly enoughv to prevent vibration from changing' its pOSi.tiOn, but not so snugly as to preclude its manipulation by hand; A spring, 40 compressed between the recessed porti o nl of the cone 3 0 and the, shoulder 37, servesto force the cone'toward the feed-roll 41 until the nut 39 bears againstxthe sheave 36, the shaft32 'being slidable inthe sleeve 33.` It will be seen that-the nut 39serves as a means for adjusting the -separator coneltoward the feed-roll to compensate for Ywear onthe rubber end piece. while the spring 4 0 provides a resilient-means to permit Athe cone vto yield forfthefpassage of letters of varyingthicknesses.v Y i i In addition to the feed-belt before Vreferred to, thefeeding means further comprises the feed-roll 41 and the supplementaryfeed roll Roll 41 is tiXedto aV shaftf43 that rotates in a bearing formedin the bed-plate 2,5and the shaft 43ucarries atits lower lend a sheavc 44 as the instrument for its rotation." Roll 42 isdesigned V tov rotate on'a stud 45fiiX'ed` in a leverv 46 that is'pivota'lly connectedto the bed-plate V2 by the'screw studf47,AV In recessed portions'of themrolls 4l and42 the feedband 48 isfcarrie'd'and it Vis held taut against ythe Vtension 'of the spring '49 distended between apin 5001i the bed-plate 2 anda'pin 51 on the end'of the ie'verie. rI he means vfor driving the separatorc'one and ther feed-belt i's'suppleinentary'fto the means for v"driving` the restv of the rotating parts-,for thereason thatth'esetwo parts run at a substantially-reduced speed as com pared with the othei` parts.V 4v'llo'tion foi-)this supplementary Vdrive is derived from the sheave 52 'of which vthe sheave`53`is a part. Both of these sheaves rotate on the headed screw-stud 54 that attaches tothe column 55v fixed in the lower vbed-plate 3. 0n the under Asurl'ac'e' of vthe ybefdiplate @2 there lis attached the small column 56, thescrew 57 being used forthis purpose. Thiscolumn 56 carries'a sheave 58 which rotates on the headed -screwstud 59. A columnV 60 `with "a dowel 6 1 that penetrates the bedplate3 and two cap-screws which 4attach it thereto cari ries twosheaves 62 an'd63 andtheir attend; ant screw-studs `64 and "65. "Thes'e'last two is composed of a lever 67in pivotal engage.-

ment with the bifurcation of lug-68 'held on theiinder Vsurface.ofthe bed-plate 2, with a screw stud y69; an idle sheave 70'thatrofates .en a headed screw-stud 71';y and a spring 72 attached between the pin 73 on lever 67' and st1l1d74'or'1the lower r bed-plate 3.A The .belt 66 runs vfrom the sheavey 53 to sheave58, thence over thesheave 36, thence around sheave 1 4, thence over the sheave 70, thencearound the sheaves 63 and 621in the order named'iand vthenceback toy sheave 53. The direction of rotation transmitted to the 'sheave 52 is anticlockwise when 'looking down outhe head ofthe stud which carries it. This, therefore, will be the direction ofrotation of `the' sheave 53; and the sheaves 3.6 and 14 willturnin clock-wise andanticlockwisedirections, respectively, as viewed from 'the ,front of the' machine, because of the directioninwhich the belt 66 V'travels over them' from sheave 53. Thev Vforwardy drum` 10 and the separator cone 30 will,fof course,` movein the directionV of theirattendant'sheaves.

Broadly stated, the printing couple' may be 'said tol be composed of impression roll'7 5 and the die-hub 76. Theroll` 75 has' a re silient Ycylindrical surface (preferably rub# ber) and isri'gidly held onv its shaft/77. A frame 7 8 with'bearings79 andv 8O for'the shaft 77'supports they roll 75 and the'frame 78 is, inA turn, 4supported by the arched' flat spring 81'. The spring 8l connecte-.dv to the framefS-in a slot formed therein, screws 82 PGSSig the thin side 'ofthel slot-83 and the spring against the body ofthe frame. TheA screws 82 enter tapped holes yin Ythe body of the-frame aft-er having passed through body holes in thepiece 83a and the spring 81. The spring 8 1 is attached 'to' the support 8 4' (connected A:in any suitable in anne'rwi'th the bed-A plate 2) in amanner-similartoits'attachi ment to theframe 78. The spring 8 1 is YeX- tended beyond the frame 78 enough to `per mit itsslotteol'y end to straddle the adjusting screw 85. This screw 85 is threaded through a hole in the pillar 86"an'd l,held infany of its adjusted' A'positions Vby the `loek-nnt Y'8.7, the enlarged en'df 88 ofthescrew acting against the springto hold the yroll inftight or'loo'se contact with thedie when the die-hub is in motion.' The driving means 'fo'rthe impres' sien'frl'ly isfprvided byifthefsheave 89 attac-hed tothe lower end of the shaft 77and an elongated 'spr'ing`90 formed in the bedf platee permits the movement'fthe frame iso 78 when the impression-roll 7 5 (because vof the resiliency ofthespringl) yields to accommodate =letters of varying, thicknesses .that p'ass`.between .it and the die-hub 76.

The printingmember or die-hub 76 is rigidly connected to its vshaft 91 which has a bearing inthe upper bed-plate 2 and enters the chitch-92. Just above the top of ythe clutch, the shaft 91 is provided with a collar 93having forks 94 with the stop roll 95 carried betweenv them and..rotatably` mounted kon thestud 96. The collar 93 is rigidlyconnected tothe shaft 91 andrests upon the thrust washer 974 which, .in turn, rests upon the uppermost clutch ring 98.

, The outer shell of the clutch 92 has ahub v99 formed at its bottom end and carries inside a. spool composed ofthe .tubular meinber.100 and the disks 101. The disks `and the tubular member lare integral. and the tube extends .below the lower kdiskthe full length of the hub 99. The spool: thus formed by the tube and Ldisks 1is utilized ,to receive. a suitable electrical winding 102,one end of `which is grounded to the spooh atv 1021,.while.the lother endis brought out to the insulated collector ring 103,as at 102?, which ring is held ,onthcbottom of-l the clutch shel1,92b by. screws 104C, appropriate insulation 105 intervening between the collector ring .and the shellttand the screws. `The upper Adisk 101 is: ihermetically` sealed to the interior walls of the "shell, as shownat101a. 4The space above the spool is utilized to c arrythe clutch rings, the driver rings 98.,altern ating with the gdrivcn rings- 106. `Each `driver ring is lof the same. diameter as the interior 4of the shell `92;*and is provided A.with diametrically disposedy lugs 107 that engage keyeways 108Icut in the shell. The 2driven rings 106 are of the same diameter as the driver rings andtheir eyes which are .of thesame diameter as the .shaft 91, have key-ways 109 adapted to engage vthe diametrically .disposed keys .110 fixed t in; the. shaftl 91. The eyes inthe driver ringsrarerlarge. enough to prevent. interference.l between themselves. and thekeys 110. n

`{Lheclutch. shell V92b at yits hub 99 is connected .by la setscrew l 92a with a. shaft 111 thatpassesjthrough a bearing 112 fin ythe bed-,plate .3; and connects with the main shaft which.is `described later. .A thrust washer 113 intervenesbetweenthe hub 99 and the bearing 112 land .sustainsthe weight ofthe clutch Aand all itsparts.

-An-.appropriate lbrush 1111(held in a brushholderv-115 that is supported by llout insulated from the support v116 .attachedto theibeLd-plate 3.) contactszwith the collector ring 1103,:andserves Vto transmit current to the clutch winding .102. vWhen energized the winding 102 tends to drawthe `shaft -91 downwa-rdrand the fixed collar `93 with its @hulst WaShwW .then.Operatestobrnsithe driving. and driven clutch .rings .98 .and 106 into. close contact. l. (The drivingand .driven clutch. rings are designed. to. be of. .dierent `materials',". the driving ringsr preferablysteel and the driven rings preferably. diluer.) The driving rings beingconnectedyto the clutch shell andthe ,drivenringsto the diehead shaft, it will, be seen that the dieehead shaft will revolve.withthe clutch Shell because. ofthe frictionaljcontactbetween'the twosets .of .rings .and it..will be seenfurther thatthe forcewith which theshaft91 is ydrawn down into. the tube 100.will'.determine the amount of this friction. .Thespoolcarrying (the wjn ding 102 being. hermetically connected to the shella92", .rendersnthatportion of the shell. wherein the. clutchrings are ,carried .serviceableas va means in which to. carry a lubricant for themwithoutcdanger 'of the lubricant escaping tothe winding ywithits ,consequent ldeleterious effects.

`"lhe .clutch Vshell 92 fhasa-Igroove v92c around its .periphery at .the end remoteffrom the .hub .9,9 andV this.; groove ,is .toreceive .the Adrive-,belt y.117,

. Between Vthe feed-,rolls 11. andtheprinting couple lare the tripping, rollers 118 `and 119, both.ofwhich.are.rigidly connected to their .respective shafts 120 and1.21,..but,electrically ,separatedyfroin the .shafts yby the` insulatingtubes 122 and.123. .Roll118 has its shaft 120running in abearing 120%`1Xed in thebed-plate 2. and ,a sheave-124fis suitably connectedto the shaft atits lower end. The shaft 121. of roll 119. runs` in; a. bearing `121a made inarm ,125.and is .provided with a sheave-126 whichisrigidly connectedto its lowerend. fl-he farm -125 is in.pivotal.en gagement with a stud .127 screwed .in 4the under. sideofvhed-plate2 `and the .arm is bifuncated where it engagesthe stud, -`the bifurcations alternating `with similar .bifurcations ofl the larm 128 which lis a also pivotally connected tothe stud. The two arms are retained on the stud with the washerf129 by. thenut 130.

A lSlot-.131` concentric withithe, stud.127.is formedinthe hed-plate 2 of'suflicientsize to permit. that end vof the. Varm .125,that. carriesthe roll-119 toamove therein. IThis slot provides the means for allowing the roll119 to yieldenough to permitlettersof Ivarious thicknesses to passfbetween it andthe `roll 118.

Circumferential grooves e132 :are `:formed in the rolls 118 .and119 and in thesegrooves thebrushes 133 contact. The twobrushesflB and theirholdcrs 134 and 13@ are identical in construction and the holder 1134** .is Ainsulated A.fromlthe bed-plate 2 .whereonbothare mountedy by any appropriate method.

The printing memberor die-hub 76 is designed `for' intermittent .operation which ,necessitates means for starting andstoppingeit. Elle starting.: andmovng .means for the dieicc Y iat in the projection 143 provided at the end' of the armature.

The pole 138 hasan integral horn 144 to assist in attractingA the-'armature to it from the most remote position of the armature.

The projection 143 is extended beyond the point where it engages the pin'142 and'is bifurcated at this extended end, so that the eye of the link 145 may connect between the bifurcations with'the pin 146. Link145 connects similarlywith a link 147 which', in turn, connects to one arm of the bell-crank lever 135 by the vlinkV 148. The bell-crank lever 135 is designed for pivotal movement o'n the stud 149 fixed in the plate 150'. To one side ofthe longitudinal center of link 147, the link 151 is pivoted and'thislast link is also in pivotal engagement withthe stud 152 Xed in the plate 150.' Stop pins153 and 154 are attachedto plate `15() to provide stops 'respectively for the link 151 and bell-crank lever'135. A lspring' 155 attached between one arm' of the bell-crank lever 135 and a point on plate150 serves to keep the said bell-crank lever normally against its stop 154. Between the end of 143v anda hook '156 connected tothe pole 137 a' spring 157 is provided to draw the arm'ature 13 6 away from the p0lef138 when not attracted thereto. v

On the under sideoflbed-plate 2, aboss 158 is formed with countersunk holes adapted to receive the annular bosses 159 o f the plate 15,0 and flat-head screws 160 protrude from the top of bed-plate 2 through the boss 158and thread into the bosses 159. y v

The several links, the bell-crank lever 1 35 and lthe armature 136 `just 4 described `com prise the means' for libe-rating'the die-head and for arrestingit afterl it'has made one revolution. 'y

When the means for energizing Athe magneticpoles 137 and 138 is operated, these poles exert an attractive force on the armature 136 which (moving against the ytension of the spring 157) grocks the link 147 at its pivoted connection with the link 151 through the instrumentalityof the ,connecting link 145. This rocking motion isl transmitted to the bell-crank lever 135 by theV link 148 whereupon the bell-crank lever 135 turns on its stud 149 enough to permit its long end vto disengage the stop roll 92 (it being underi stood that the normal position of lever 135 brings it in engagement 'with roll 92). After this first operation the clutch, Vby means of themechanism previously described, puts the die-head in motion.

As the armature 136 is designed to be held by the poles and 138 for a longer period fof time than is necessary for the die-head to make one revolution", means is required to return'the lever 135 to its normal position :in order to stop the die-hub at the conclue sion of one revolution. l/Vith'the present device lthis is accomplished automatically. At the beginning of the operation the pivotal connection between the links 147 and 151 is a fixed point, but, as the longer end of link 147 moves in thedirection towardlever 135, the anglebetween it and the link 148 becomes more obtuse until iinally a point isv reached where l'lateral pressure is exerted on this pivotal' connection between the links. At the inception of this lateral'pressure Vthe link 151' starts to move onits pivot 152 away from its stop pin 153 and this movement of 151 continues until the spring 155 has drawn the lever 135 `back against its stop 154 when the lever 135 is ina positionto engage 'roll s o as to stop the die hub. After the reinoval of the magnetizing force,'the armature 136 is enabled bynieans of its spring 157 to resume its former position, the link 151 returning to itsposition against the stop 153. The link 147, where it connects with thelink 145,`has its eye elongated, so that the'link 151 may swing' away from its stop 153 without binding the other links or interfering with their individual movements. A spring 240'att`ached betweenlink 151 and a j'ointonplat'e 150 keeps the link 151 nor# mally againstl'its stop 153. Figs. 11, 12 and 13 show the yseveral'` positions assumed by lever 135 and itsl attendant links.

The cyclefof operations just described is performed for each piece of mail that passes through the machine, its passage between the rolls 118 and 119 serving 'to'upset an electrical balance that results in these several operations. l 'Y y The electrical energy necessary for the operation of the clutch and for effecting the operation'of the lever 135 and its attendant links is derivedfrom a generator of the conventional series type having the polepieces"139 and 140,thefieldcoil 161, the armature 162, thegroundedbrush 163 and the insulated, brush 164. The pole-pieces 139 and 140 fare mounted on blocks 165 (of some non-magnetizable material). through which they are bolted tothelower bed-plate`3 in a depression formedtherein. The armature 162has a suitable lower bearing in bed-plate 3 andan upper bearingin the yoke/166 wherein the brushes y163 and ,164' are carried.- i f i One end of the field coil 161 is connected ico toa binding post 167 insulated from, bed'- plate 3v and; a metallic rod 16S connect; this binding lpost withA the brush-holder 115.. The otherend of the Held-coily is brought to an insulated binding post 169 on pole 138 and av metallic rod 170 passes from it through the insulating bushings 171` in the poles 1,37 and 138 andl attaches to the stud of the brush-'holder 131. A metallic strip 17 2 connects the binding'post 169 with the insulated generator `brush 164:. At a selected point in the lield'ecoil 161, a tap ismade, the

connection 17 3@ from which is broughtjto the insulated binding post 173 and continued to the other brush holder 134 byy the metallic rod 1,71 that is insulated Where it passes through the poles 137 'and 138 by lthe insulating tubes 17 5.

Fig,` 15 illustrates diagrammatically the arrangement just described and forA an understanding of the principles involved reference is best lhad to it. A rheostat is shown in this diagrammatic ligure, but. does not appear `in the other igures., lts useis not essential to the successfulgfoperationo1 theelectriealequipment, but it adds an advantage by providing a quick andr ready adjustment for the clutch. The rheostat, ena'bles an operator of the machine` to quickly and by handI regulate the intensity of the force by which the clutch drives the diehub. Therefore, thedie-hub can be'made to lagV in speed behind the speedof. the mail advancing, rolls whereby its operation4 may be regulatedto proper-ly positionthecancellation and postmark onthick` mailjmatter which does` not Wh'enpassing through the machine ordinarilv acquire the speedof the advancing rolls, as mentioned heieinbefore.

p `The rolls 118 and 119 are designed to 'be made of metal`ax.1l vhen they are. running in contact with eachother they short-circuitall of that part of the VG/ld, coil'` 161 con,- tained between the tap connected to rod 174 and thel lead connecting with rodV 17 0I The small portion of. the field coil 'left active is used Vas a means to allow the generator to build up quickly when the short-circuit is removed. contact` and the armature162` turning, the active circuit inchidesLin the order named, the insulated brush 16,4the strip 172, the rod 170, the brush 133, the .roll 118, the roll 119, the second'brush'133theirod 174, the small a'ctivepo'rtio'n a of 'the field coil 161, the rod 168, ythe rheostat 17 6*, the rest` of rod 168% the brush 114:, the collectorring 103, the clutch Winding102, the groundfand the grounded brush 163,.V The 'ground named in this diagrammatic ligure corresponds to a metallic connection made with thebody of the machine. When the rolls 118 ald1l9 are electrically separated by a non-metallic substance, such asa piece of. mail, the short `With the rolls 11,8; and 119 inV circuit Which hadbbtainedg between the rods 17'0,and 17.4 vis removed andthe Wholelof the iield coil 161 then becomes active giving a,strongmagnetizationV to the clutch Winding clutch having started thedie-hub., at full power,A the. same amount of' energy,V is not necessary to. keep. the said` die-huh in motion. The reductionA in the strengthoffthe clutclnafter havingstarted the die-hub oper- 'ates toreduce the forcent" the shock When Y the die-hub is stopped. t

The regulating resistance Shown in` the diagram may be usedlto regulater the clutch to suit the conditions of 'the servicel itis calleduponto perform. A

When a letter-or 'other pieceofnna'ilfi's passing tl'irough. the machine, its entrallle between the rolls 1181and119fremovesthe short-circuit previously referred toandthis shortfcircuit is not restablisheduntil the letter has,leftftherolls, Werez not seme means provided for,V stopping the die-hub 'alter `inmakes one revoluti'omit would con.- tillllc to vrevolve untiljthefroll's,118-and1119 had' `resumed contactafter ghavingfbeen. sepa.- IraatedandI the result; would bethatf the kdie and canceler Would -register more than. once onthe passing pieceiofmail.l The leverf135 and its essential links provide-fthe stopping means for. the die-hub. The'starting means l provides g. first,fo r the removal o'fjthesshortr circuitfthat, enables the vgenerator,to exert its ullpower' infener'gizing the clutch, Winding 102and`callsing itlto exercise` its greatest pull olljthe vshaft 91v with thefconsequentyin; creasefof frictionalf cOlttibetWeen the vrings 98 andjl06 second,l for;y a`- reduction4 in the strengthv ofthe ygenerator resultingjnn vre; duction; of the frictional contact' between ring.l 98 'andI 106 and third, for ai., reduction tically nullifying the generating power of the generator and with it the pull on the shaft 91.

A consideration of their principles will show that the friction of the clutch rings 98 and 106 with its relative variations will be maintained constant under all conditions of wear of said clutch rings. In other words, the clutch will automatically compensate for the wear on its clutch rings until the shaft 91 and the die-hub 76 connected thereto are brought down too low to render satisfactory The ink-roll 17 7 (made preferably of felt and mounted on a suitable bushing) revolves (by frictional contact with the die-hub 76) on a stud 178a fixed in the plate 178. The plate 178 is Vheld on the bed-plate 2 by the thumb-screw andwasher 179 which passes through an elongated hole 17 9a in 178. Ink

-is transferred to roll 177 by a roll 180 which receives it from a tank 181 attached to the lower bed-platel 3. A splash guard 182 is provided to prevent theroll 180 from throwing ink over the various parts of the machine. The roll 180 and tank 181 form no part of thepresent application and their coustruction, therefore, will not be described. SuiviceI it to say that theyv constitute the means for supplying ink to the roll 177 from which it is transferred to the printing means on die-hub 76. Y

`The structure vofk this inking apparatus willform the subject-matter of an application to be later placed on file. Since this device is at present in an experimental stage, it is important that the principle invoked be not made known at the present time.

The packer tray or portion of the machine whereon canceled letters and cards are stacked has a bottom formed of rods 183 which, where they join the bed-plate 2 are held frictionally in holes on the front edge thereof. Brace-rods 184 similarly held but emanating from the lower bed-plate 3 aid in resisting the weight imposed on the packer tray by vstacks of canceled mail. Both the rolls 183 and rod 184 attach by screws to the plate 185 and arguide piece 186 also attaches at one end to this plate. The other end of guide piece'186 connects with small brackets 187 attached to bedplate 2 by appropriate screws. The packer slide 239 is carried slidably connectedto the outermost rod 183. y

The packer star-wheel 188 is connected in any conventional manner with its shaft 189 which has bearing in the upper bed-plate 2 and inthe packer 'fence 190 and carries on its end below the bed-plate 2 a sheave 191.

The packer fence 190 is held on the bedplate 2 by-screws 192 which pass through eyes in its'feet 193.l

The packer extension arm 194 `has a slide bearing in the column 195 which is attached to bed-plate 2 and its rack teeth mesh with the teeth of a small gear 196 that is carried on a shaft 197 havinga bearing inthe col- Y umn and a bearing in the cover plate 198 The shaft 197 is shouldered below the cover plate 198 and extends up throughthe spiral 4spring l199 and connects with a handle 200.

The stacker extension arm is designedfor use with various lengths of letters. 1t can be adjusted longitudinally to any desired position-by simpl turning the .handle 200 to either the right or left depending ou whether thearm is to be moved in or out. y

The packer feed rolls 202 and 203 are identical in shape and mounting to the trip rolls 118 and 119 with the exception of being insulated. Roll 202 is like roll 119having a shaft 204, a sheave 205 and an arm 128 wherein shaftl 204 has a bearing. A slot 206 concentric with the stud 127 allows the arm 128 to move back to accommodate vdifferent thicknesses of letters that pass between rolls 202 and 203. Roll 203 is like roll 118, its shaft 207 having a bearing in bed plate 2 and carrying a sheave 208 at its lower end. i

As a means for moving the various rotating parts which have just been described, the

belt 117 is used. Two idley sheaves are neces' sary to properly direct this belt over the several sheaves itlis called upon to turn. These two idle sheaves are 209 and 210. They are supported respectively by the colums 2,11 and 212 attached to the lower bedplate 3 and to the pole 139 ,respectively andy revolve on their respective screw studs 213 and 2111. y j Y A sheave 215 attachedto its shaft isthe means. for rotating the armature 162 ofy the generator. v,

. Beginning at the clutch shell 92, the bell- 117 lruns first around the vimpression roll sheave 89, then in reverse directions around the sheaves 124 and 126 of the rolls 11.8 and 119, then around the sheave 52, then around the sheaves 44, 209, 215,210, 208, 191, and 205 in the ordernamed, and'returns to the clutch shell 92. l

Between the sheaves 205 and 191, an idle sheave 216 runs. This sheave rotates ona stud` held `by the arm `217 that is integral with a hub 218 from which anarm 219emanates substantially at right angles to the arm 217. The hub 218 'is pivota'lly moun* ed onv ther stud220 `hcld^by the bed-plate 2 and a spiral spring 221 connected between Vone end ofthe arm 2l9and apoint oir bedplate 2 operates to press the sheave against the belt` 117 and diraiY it tightly aroun-:l the various sheaves over which it runs. rIhe sheave 216 and its attendant parts also -op- Vera-te to keep the rolls 119 and 202 normall)7 in contact with rolls 118Y and 20B respectivelyandprovides the resilient means by which rolls 119 and' 202 are enabled toyield to various thicknesses oflettcrs.

The machine may be operated by any means that provides for supplying motion to the shaft 111. In this instance a variable speed driveis used and is advantageous in that it permits the machine to be run at different speeds with the speed of they driving motor constant. A shaft 222, coupled to shaft lllf atits bottom, is journaled `at its bottom in a bearing 2231bolted to the colun'm l. rFhe bearing-2231121.95 a thrust screw 224i for supporting theshaft at' its end A friction Wheel 2,241?L is carried' by sliaft222 and is capable vof vertical adjustment on the shaft. A feather 225 secures it against rotary movementon the shaft: and a set-'screw 226 holds itfin any of its adjusted positions.

(lo-acting Wit-h the friction Wheel 221lais av disk 227 carriedby a shaft 229 'to which itis slidably connected. The shaft 229v has a bearing 230'bolted Vt'o column land outside of this bearing the main drive sheave 231 is connected to the shaft. In conjunction with the pulley4` sheave 281, the soliclcollar 232 secures the shaft 229 againstlongitudinal'movement inlits bearing, a' suitable ballbearingthrustl 237 intervening between the collar `and bearing.

The slidable'connection between the disk 227 and shaft 229 comprises a pin 283 fixed rigidly in the hub ofthe disk and engaging an elongated hole 234 diametrically y through the shaft 229. Against this pin23'3 a-pin 235" pressesthe compression spring 236 which bears against pin 235 operating to move the disk 227 toward its farthest point 0n shaft 229 and, therefore, to lkeep `italvvays in firm Contact With friction Wheel 224. The shaft 229 has a longitudinall hole through its center wherein thespring 236 and pin 235are contained. This longitudinallliole is tapped at the pulley end `ofthe shaftanda-screw 237a is inserted'for adjusting the pressure of yspring 236. A set screw 238l is provided forholding screw 237aN in any ofi-tsadjusted positions and'also for holding sheave 231 on the shaft 229, this screwA lthreading through a tapped hole in the hub' ofsheave 23land through aibody holer injshaft 229, thus beingv permitted to bear `upon the Aside of screw 2373'.

It will be seenV that the speedlof the ma'- chine can-be vari-ed by adjustingA theA friction wheel 224v up and down the shaft222-a-nd the resilient connectionof the disk'227 with its shaft 229 w-ilzt serve to always keep the ment thereof, and' mechanismsv conjoined With said nieans'for varying theinterval of 'time necessary to overcome the inertia ofthe de-lnlb'when putting thejsame in motion,

2. In a canceling machine, a die-hub, electricalfmeans for effecting the intermittent movementy thereof, and: further .electrical means conjoinedwith said former'm'eans for inrying the interval of time necessaryto overcome the inertia of the die-hub` When putting the same-in motion.

In a mail marking machine, an intermittent die hnb, driving means therefbr, andV means forthe automaticallyinstantaneous variationofthe intens'ityofthe driving means.

4.'.In a canceling machine, anvintermittent die-hub, driving means thereforand means for varying the intensity ofL the driving means during the cancellation of' mail' 5. In amail marking machine, an inter- "l inittent die-hub, 'a frictional driving means therefor, andl'automatic means for varying the friction of saidv driving means When the latter is in motion.

6. In a canceling'machine, an intermittent die-hub, an electro-frictionall driving means therefor, andautomatic meansremote from said driving means for varying the frictional intensityof the latter.

7j In a mail marking machine, an intermittent die-hub, a two-part drivingdevice therefor comprising driving and driven members, the drivingmember being const-antlyrotat'ed, the driven member having fixed connection with thedie-hub, anda-nto'n matic Ameans connected With the driving member but remote-therefrom for varying the interval of time necessary to overcome the inertia of the die-hub when putting the same in motion..

8. In a canceling'machine, Van lintermittentdie-hub, a tW0part driving device therefor comprising a. constantly rotating magnetized driving'member and" aj driven member moved by the attractive force thereof, the driven member having fixed connection with the die-hub, and manual means for varying the attractive force of the driving member.

9. In a mail marking machine, an intermittent die-hub, a two-part driving device therefor comprising a constantly rotating magnetized drivin member and a driven member moved by t e attractive force thereof, the driven member having fixed connection with the die-hub, and manual means yfor varying the attractive force of the driving member while the same is in motion.

10. In a canceling machine, an intermittent die-hub, a two-part driving device therefor comprising a constantly rotating magnetized driving member and a driven member moved by the attractive force thereof, the driven member havingfxed connection withthe'die-hub, and automatic means for varying the interval of time necessary to overcome the inertia of the die-hub when putting the same in motion.

11. In a mail marking machine, an intermittent die-hub, an electro-frictional twopart driver therefor, and automatic means for varying the interval of time necessary to overcome the inertia of the die-hub when putting the same in motion. v

12. In a canceling machine, an intermittent die-hub, an electro-frictional two-part driver therefor, and automatic means for varying the intensity of the friction between the two parts of said driver. j

13. In a mail marking machine, an intermittent die-hub, an electro-frictional twopart driver therefor, and automatic means connected with the driver but remote therefrom for varying the intensity of the friction between the two parts of said driver.

14. In a canceling machine, an intermittent die-hub, an electro-frictional two-part driver therefor, and automatic means for the instantaneous adjustment of the frictional relation vbetween the two parts of said driver. l

15. In a mail marking machine, an intermittent die-hub, an electro-frictional twopart: driving device therefor comprising an electrified driving anda frictional drlven member, the driven member having connection with the die-hub, and electrical means conjoined with the driving'member for automatically varying the intensity of the force imparted by it to the driven member.

16. In a canceling machine, a die-hub, driving means therefor, means for intermittently arresting the movement thereof, and means conjoined with the driving means whereby the intensity of the latter is reduced duringe the periods the die-hub remainsarrested. j

17. In a inail marking machine, ,a die-hub,

driving means therefor, means for intermittently arresting and releasing the die-hub, and means conjoined with the driving means for varying the intensity of vSaid means, whereby the intensity is reduced during the periods the die-hub remains arrested.

1,8. In a canceling machine, a die-hub, driving means therefor, means for intermittently arresting and releasing the vdie-hub, and electro-mechanical mechanism coperatively connected with the driving means, whereby the intensity of the latter lis kreduced while the die-hub remains arrested but increased when the die-huby is released.

19. In a mail marking machine, a die-hub,

electro-frictional driving means therefor, means for intermittently arresting and releasingthe die-hub, and electro-mechanical mechanism cooperatively connected with the driving means, whereby 'the intensity of the latter is reduced while the die-hub remains arrested but is increased when the die-hub is released. 20. In a canceling machine, a die-hub, driving means therefor, means for intermittently arresting and releasing the die-hub, and means common t0 said latter means and to the driving means whereby the one is rendered operative and the other reduced in intensity when the di e-hub is arrested.

21. In a canceling machine, a die-hub, driving means therefor, means for intermittently arresting the movement thereof, an-d means conjoined with the driving means for automatically reducing the intensity of the driving means during the periods the diehub remains arrested.

22. In a mail marking machine, a die-hub, driving means therefor, means for arresting the movement thereof, letter-actuated means conjoined with said latter means whereby the die-hub is released,and means cooperatively connected with the driving means and included in the letter-actuated means whereby the intensity of the driving means is increased with the release of the die-hub.

23. In a canceling machine, a die-hub, electro-frictional driving means therefor, and a letter-controlled electro-mechanical mechanism coperatively connected with the driving means for intermittently arresting the movement of the die-hub and reducing the intensity of the driving means.

24C. In a mail marking machine, a die-hub,

ing section and a ldriven section, means for constantly moving the driving section, means for intermittently arresting and releasing the driven section, the die-hub being secured Ito the driven section, and lettercontrolled means common to both the twopart driver and the releasing and arresting means, whereby theintensity of the force imparted by the driving section to the driven section is automatically increased simultaneously with the release of the driven section. y

26. In a mailIma-rking nia-chine, a printing couple, mail advancing couples, means conjoined with oneunit of each couple whereby the unit is rendered laterally movable with respect to the other unit, an endless belt interconnecting the several couples and the individi'ial. units thereof, and a resilient tightener for the belt, whereby the laterally Inovable units'are rendered kyieldable against the resiliency ot the said tightener. s

lIn aA mail marking machine, the combination witlm a bed-plate, of a printing couple and mail advancing couples mounted thereon, each couple having onel of its units journaled inthe bed-plate, a laterally movable bearing for the other unit of each couple, a sheave for each unit of Veach couple,-'an endless belt interconnecting allot the sheaves, an arm pivotally mounted on the bed-plate, an idle sheave carried at the free en'd of the arm, and a spring tensioned between the arm and the bed-plateand causing the idle shea-ve to bear upon the belt.

28. In a mail marking machine, the combination of a printing couple' comprising a die-hub and an impression roll, of a resilient bearing support for the impression roll, a two-part driver consisting of a driving section and a driven vsection to which latter the die-hub is connected, a bell-crank lever normally obstructing the movement of the driven section, a series of links connected with the bell-cranklever, a swinging arm having pivotal engagement at its end with the iinermediatev linkv of said series, 'and letter-actuated mechanism conjoined with said'series of links Vwhereby the bell-crank lever' may be moved from. its obstructing position and returned in time to-permit'onl'y one revolution f the die-'hub for each operation olf said letter-actuated mechanism.

In a mail marking machine, tlie combination of a printing couple comprising a dielhub andan impression' roll, of a resilient bearing' support for the impression roll, a two-part driver consisting of' al drivin-gfsection and a drivensection tov which latter the die-hub' is connected, an 'rbutmentA member carried by the driven section, a pivotally moilinted"belherank lever having one end normally engaging said abutment member, a letter-actuated mechanism, a pivotally mounted member operatively connected with said mechanism, a series of links @nnectiag the p'votally mounted member and the belic'ra'nk lever, swinging arm having itslfree end in 4engagement with one of the, linksof said series, ,and lsprings against whose tension the bell-crank lever, the swinging arm and the pivota'lly mounted member move.

, 30". A releasiiig and arresting device comprising a supporting member, a bell-crank ,t

lever pi'v'oted thereon, a stop for said lever, an' ar'm swingingly mounted on the supporting member', a stop for said arm', a link car'- rle'd pivotally at the freev end Ot 'said arm, said pivotal coi'inection being eliecte'd between the ends off saidV link, a second link having its ends pivotally connected with` one end oi' the first link and one end of the bellc'rank lever, a third llink having pivotal 'connection with the other end of said irst link, this thirdr link having meansforI connection toa device for imparting rocking movement to the first link, and springs for drawing lthe bell-crank lever and swinging armV against their stops. y

31. A releasing and arresting dev'icecomv prising' a supporting member, a bell-crank lever pivoted thereon, a stop for said lever, an arm siving'ingly mounted on the supporting member, a'stop for said arm, a link carried pivotallyat the free end of said arm, said Vpivotal connection ybeing eected` to lone side of the longitudinallcenter of the link and the arm being angularly disposed-with reference to the link, asecond link having its ends pivotally connected with one end of the {irst link and one end of thebell-Crank lever, a third link having `pivotal, connectionwith the other lendfof said first link, said third vlinkhaving meansr for connection to a device for imparting rocking movement to the lirst link, and springs for drawing the bell-crank lever and swinging arm against their stops. V y

32. In a mail marking machine, the combination with `a printing couple comprising a die-hub and an impression'roll, of 'an'electro-frici'fional driver for the die-hub, a normally inert electrical supply device for: the driver, a pair of' mail advancing rolls for the yprinting couple, connections between the supplydevice and the advancing rolls, anda releasing and arresting device orthe diehub, said releasing and arresting device b eing conjoined with the electrical supply device, whereby the ,passing of a letter between tliefadvancingrolls operates to revivifythe electrical supply device. 33. In a mail marking machine, the combil-nation with a printing couplel comprising a die-hub and an impression roll, of an electrofrictional driver" for the die-hub, an electric generator connected electrically with the driver, ,theA generator havin-g a rmagnet'i'zin'g coil, a releasing and arresting device connected magnetically with the generator and ilo mechanically with the die-hub, and a letterreleased short-circuit for the major portion of the magnetizing coil.

34. In a mail marking machine, the combination with a printing couple comprising a die-hub and an impression roll, of an electrofrictional driver for the die-hub, an electric generator connected electrically with the driver, the generator having a magnetizing coil, a releasing and arresting device connect-ed magnetically with thev generator and mechanically with the die-hub, a pair of insulated mail advancing rolls normally in electrical contact, Aand connections between the magnetizing coil and the rolls whereby the major portion of the coil is short-circuited when and only when the rolls are in contact.

35. In a mail marking machine, the combination with a printing couple comprisinga die-hub and an impression roll, of an electrofrictional two-part driver for the die-hub consisting of an electrilied driving section and a frictional driven section to which latter the die-hub is connected, an electric generator connected electrically with the driving section, the generator having a magnetizing coil, a releasing and 'arresting device connected magnetically with themagnetizing coil and mechanically with the. said driven section, a pair of insulated mail advancing rolls, normally in electrical contact, a laterally movable bearing support for vone of said rolls, and short circuiting medium for the major portion of the magnetizing coil which medium includes the mail advancing rolls in circuit with it.

36. In a cancelingmachine, an intermittent die hub, an electro-frictional two-part driver therefor, and manual means for varying the intensity of the friction between the two parts of said driver.

37. In a canceling machine, an intermittent die hub, an electro-frictional two-part driver therefor, and manual means for instantaneous adjustment of the frictional relation between the two parts of said driver.

88. In a canceling machine, an intermittent die-hub, driving means therefor, means for the automatic instantaneous variation of the intensity of the driving means, and

manual means for varying the intensity of the said driving means.

89. In a canceling machine, an intermittent die-hub, driving means therefor, and article-controlled means governing the intermittent operation of the die-hub and automatically varying the intensity of the driving means.

40. In a canceling machine, an intermittent die-hub, driving means therefor, and means for the instantaneous regulation of the driving means, whereby the die-hub may be made to lag in speed behind the driving means,

41. In a canceling. machine, an intermittent die-hub, driving means therefor, articlecontrolled means which both governs the intermittent operation of the die-hub and varies the intensity` of the driving means, and means connected with the driving means for instantaneously regulating the sameto effect any `desired lag in speed of the diehub behind the driving means.

42. In a canceling machine, an intermit tent printing member, an electro-frictional driver' therefor, an energizing medium for the driver, and manual means for regulating the effect of said medium upon the driver.

1 43. In a canceling machine, an intermittent printing member, an electro-frictional driver therefor, an energizing medium for the driver, and article advancing means connected with the said medium, whereby the intensity of the same is automatically varied.

44. In a canceling machine, an` intermittent, printing member, an electro-frictional driver therefor, an energizing medium for the driver, and means for instantaneously regulating the said medium, whereby its effect upon the driver is maintained uniformly at an increased or reduced intensity. p

45. In a canceling machine, an intermittent printing member, a driver therefor, article-controlled mechanism governing both the printing member and the driver, and means for the separate instantaneous control of the driver.

46. In a canceling machine, an intermittent die-hub, a two-part frictional driver therefor comprising a driving and a driven section, means for arresting and releasing the driven section, and article-controlled means which increases and reduces the intensity of the driving section during the periods of movement and rest respectively of the driven section.

47. In a canceling machine, a die-hub, a driver therefor, comprising driving and driven sections, and article-controlled means, whereby the driven section is arrested and released and the driving section reduced and increased in the intensity of its driving force.

48. In a canceling machine, a die-hub, an electro-frictional driver therefor having driving and driven sections, a releasing and arresting device for the driven section, and an article-controlled energizing medium for the driving section, whereby the driving force of the-latter is increased or reduced accordingly as the driven section is released or arrested.

49. In a canceling machine, a die-hub, an electro-frictional driver therefor having driving and driven sections, means for constantly moving the driving section, means f or intermittently arresting the drivensection, frictional means interposed between the of rest of the driven section.

50. A releasing and arresting device comprising an oscillatory stop member capable of releasing and arresting oscillations, an oscillatory actuating member therefor, and connections between the two members, whereby both oscillations of the former are accomplished on the actuating oscillation solely of the latter leaving inactive the return oscillation of the said latter.

51. A releasing` and arresting device having an oscillatory stop lever movable into releasing or arresting position, an oscillatory actuating lever therefor, and link connections between thel two levers, whereby both oscillations of the former are accomplished by and only by the actuating oscillation of the latter.

52. In a canceling machine, an intermittent printing member, a frictional two-part driver" therefor, an article-controlled means for varying the intensity of the friction between the two' parts of said driver.

53. In a canceling machine, an intermittent printing member, a frictional two-part driver therefor, and article-controlled means connected with the driver but remote therefrom for varying the intensity of the friction between the two parts of said driver.

54;. In a canceling machine, an intermittent printing member, a frictional two-part driver therefor, a pair of article forwarding rolls, and means connecting the rolls with the driver, whereby the passing of an article between the rolls serves to instantaneously intensify to a predetermined degree the intensity of the frictional contact between the two parts of said driver.

55. In a canceling machine, a die-hub, a frictional two-part driver therefor, a pair of article forwarding rolls, a die-hub'releasing and arresting device, and means operatively connecting the rolls with the driver and with the said device, whereby the diehub is released and arrested and thel fric`- tional engagement between the two parts of In witness whereof, in the presence of two' witnesses, the inventors signature is hereunto alixed.

FRANCIS G. BOSWELL Witnesses i FRANKLIN H.

Hoeren, A.. Il. Honen:g

@enten er this patent may be obtained for five' cents each, by addressing the Eommissionero latentt,v

Washington, 13% G, 

